Alumnus named WHNPA Still Photographer of the Year

Patrick Smith, a Towson University graduate and Getty Images photographer, has been named the Still Photographer of the Year by the White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA).

A mass communication major and former photo editor of the Towerlight, Smith has been working as a freelance photojournalist and traveling the world since he graduated in 2009.

“I am happy, humbled and proud, to say the very least,” said Smith in response.

“I am fortunate to work alongside and also compete with the very best photojournalists and editors who continually inspire me to document stories locally and nationally. I feel like Getty Images deserves the credit on this one—their trust, support and guidance has been unparalleled,” he continued.

“Their dedication to visual story telling and photojournalism is why they are regularly published and are respected as leaders in their field,” said WHNPA President Ron Sachs of the “Eyes of History” contest winners. “The quality of the contest submissions gets better each and every year.”

As the Still Photographer of the Year, Smith will this May be honored at a black-tie gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C., where he will meet President Barack Obama, government dignitaries and fellow industry celebrities.

See a few of Smith’s winning entries below:

A man stares at the now-empty site of the statue of former Penn State University football coach Joe Paterno.Photo by Patrick Smith.

Dale Harris of the St. Paul’s Crusaders rushes down the sideline during a regular season game.Photo by Patrick Smith.

On a rainy afternoon, passersby make their way up the street in midtown Manhattan, in New York, N.Y.Photo by Patrick Smith.

Runners collapse to the ground after finishing the Cross Country State Championships at Hereford High School.Photo by Patrick Smith.